DEC ANNOUNCES RAINBOW TROUT SAMPLING DATES FOR FINGER LAKES
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Regional Director Paul D’Amato today announced the dates and locations for the annual sampling of the rainbow trout run in Finger Lakes tributaries. This year, sampling is scheduled for:
• Thursday, March 23, 9 a.m., at Naples Creek, just north of the Village of Naples, Ontario County, at the Route 245 bridge
• Friday, March 24, 10 a.m., at Cold Brook (Keuka Inlet) in the hamlet of Pleasant Valley, Steuben County.
DEC is conducting the sampling to aid in the ongoing assessment of Finger Lakes fisheries management practices and to provide up-to-date information for the opening day fishing forecast.
During sampling, data taken on each fish, including length, weight, sex, and spawning condition. A scale is used to determine age and growth rate. Sampling results will be available to the public at the DEC Region 8 fisheries office prior to the April 1 opening of the “inland” trout fishing season. Anglers wanting to fish for trout before April 1 are reminded that trout fishing is open year-round in the main bodies of the Finger Lakes.
Directions to Naples Creek:
Sampling will start at the Route 245 bridge, just north of the Village of Naples. Route 245 joins Route 21 just north of the village. The Route 245 bridge is approximately 0.2 to 0.3 miles from the junction with Route 21.
Directions to Cold Brook:
From the Avon DEC office, take I-390 south, continue on Southern Tier Expressway (Route 17/ Interstate 86) south to Exit #38 in Bath. Turn left off Exit # 38 onto Washington Street (Route 54) and continue straight through the intersection of Rt. 415, turn left (north) at next light following Route 54 (Liberty Street). Continue on Route 54, approximately six miles to Pleasant Valley. Turn left onto Hammondsport-Pleasant Valley Road (County Route 88). Sampling site is at stream crossing, approximately 1/2 mile.